Ps 40:1
40:1 <> I waited {a}
     patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard
     my cry.

     (a) Though God deferred his help, yet he patiently abode
         till he was heard.

Ps 40:2
40:2 He brought me up also out of an {b} horrible pit, out of
     the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and]
     established my goings.

     (b) He has delivered me from great dangers.

Ps 40:3
40:3 And he hath put {c} a new song in my mouth, [even] praise
     unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall
     trust in the LORD.

     (c) That is, a special opportunity to praise him, for God's
         benefits are so many opportunities for us to praise his
         Name.

Ps 40:4
40:4 Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and
     respecteth {d} not the proud, nor such as turn aside to
     lies.

     (d) To follow their example, which he must do who trusts
         not only in the Lord.

Ps 40:5
40:5 Many, {e} O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which]
     thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward:
     they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would
     declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be
     numbered.

     (e) David goes from one king of God's favour to the
         contemplation of his providence over all, and confesses
         that his counsels toward us are far above our
         capacities, we cannot so much as tell them in order.

Ps 40:6
40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; {f} mine ears
     hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou
     not required.

     (f) You have opened my ears to understand the spiritual
         meaning of the sacrifices: and here David esteems the
         ceremonies of the law as nothing in respect to the
         spiritual service.

Ps 40:7
40:7 {g} Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it
     is] written of me,

     (g) When you had opened my ears and heart, I was ready to
         obey you, being assured that I was written in the book
         of your elect for this end.

Ps 40:9
40:9 I have preached righteousness in the {h} great
     congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD,
     thou knowest.

     (h) In the Church assembled in the sanctuary.

Ps 40:10
40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have
      declared thy {i} faithfulness and thy salvation: I have
      not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the
      great congregation.

      (i) David here numbers three degrees of our salvation:
          God's mercy, by which he pities us, his righteousness
          which signifies his continual protection and his
          truth, by which appears his constant favour, so that
          from this our salvation proceeds.

Ps 40:12
40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine
      iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able
      to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head:
      therefore my heart {k} faileth me.

      (k) Concerning the judgment of the flesh, I was utterly
          destitute of all counsel, yet faith inwardly moved my
          heart to pray.

Ps 40:14
40:14 Let them be {l} ashamed and confounded together that seek
      after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward
      and put to shame that wish me evil.

      (l) He desires that God's mercy may contend for him against
          the rage of his enemies.

Ps 40:15
40:15 Let them be {m} desolate for a reward of their shame that
      say unto me, Aha, aha.

      (m) Let the same shame and confusion come on them, which
          they intended to have brought on me.

Ps 40:16
40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:
      let such as love thy salvation say continually, {n} The
      LORD be magnified.

      (n) As the faithful always praise God for his benefits, so
          the wicked mocked God's children in their afflictions.